Zelenskyy narrowly evades drone attack as Europe confronts deepening defence challenges

One thing is clear from talks with diplomats in the old town and drone manufacturers in the countryside: the small Baltic nation has spent decades preparing for Russia’s worst‑case scenario while steadfastly supporting Ukraine.

A stroll past the Russian embassy underscores the mood. Situated on Ukrainas neatkarības iela—Ukrainian Independence Street—a 65‑metre avenue renamed in 2022, the embassy is framed by murals depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin in an unflattering light.

Latvians live this heightened security reality daily. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs stressed on Wednesday that the frontline state requires billions in additional EU funding to bolster its defence capabilities.

The threat became starkly personal when a plane carrying President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from Moldova to Oslo was almost struck by a drone late Wednesday, according to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre.

The danger is not limited to the skies; it is also spilling over into the political arena.

Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen told Europe Today she was certain “Moscow is happy” about the Alternative for Germany’s victory in the recent German regional election, a sign of the Kremlin’s expanding influence. Watch.

EU Commissioner for Housing and Energy Dan Jørgensen warned on Wednesday that Europe’s housing market has reached an “emergency” level, with everyday workers struggling to find affordable homes. He announced new measures empowering local authorities to rein in the surge of short‑term rentals.

The proposal will identify regions experiencing “housing stress” and give municipalities clearer legal tools to limit holiday lets and short‑term rentals like Airbnb.

Speaking to Euronews’ Mared Gwyn, Jørgensen said the EU must do more, calling the crisis a “European problem” that the bloc is taking “very seriously,” even though housing falls outside EU competences.

When asked if Europe was turning into a continent where under‑35s could no longer afford to buy a home, Jørgensen replied, “In many cities and Member States we are already there.”

“Normal people with normal jobs are being priced out of the cities where they work as police officers, nurses, teachers and others,” he added. “This is totally unacceptable and we must act.” Watch.

Colleague Eleonora Vasques has obtained an investigation by former officials of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, suggesting that the Sudanese government may have used chemical weapons during the ongoing civil war.

The experts say they have gathered consistent, credible evidence from witnesses and digital sources showing that victims were allegedly exposed to toxic chemicals after a military operation. Read the full investigation here.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen offered a brief preview of next week’s highly anticipated State of the Union speech on 16 September. According to Vincenzo Genovese, she met European Parliament leaders on Wednesday, who presented their own priority lists.

People present said von der Leyen highlighted a range of topics she plans to address – though not necessarily in this order – including online protection for minors, competition and the single market, climate action, migration, innovation, energy costs, and the EU’s partnership with Canada.

One politician summed it up as “Very green, not very social.”

The Socialists are pushing for more focus on housing and the European social pillar. Liberals advocate a true single market by removing non‑tariff barriers. Conservatives and the far‑right call for tougher measures against illegal immigration.

As Ottawa continues its trade dispute with the United States, it is looking westward. A EU‑Canada summit is scheduled for 29‑30 October, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has made clear he wants a closer relationship with Brussels. According to Peggy Corlin, Carney’s presence at next week’s SOTEU speech in Strasbourg will serve as an early, high‑profile signal of this new chapter.

A senior EU diplomat described Canada as “one of the EU’s most like‑minded partners” after the bloc’s 27 ambassadors held their first preparatory meeting on Wednesday.

The precise shape of the partnership is still being negotiated, but there is ample room to strengthen cooperation on trade and security. A digital trade agreement is also expected to be ready for the summit.

The European Commission is reallocating internal resources to keep up with Moldova’s EU accession drive, after Chișinău’s reform momentum outpaced the department’s capacity, EU officials told Euronews.

Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos noted on X on Tuesday, “Moldova’s impressive record of EU reforms is paying off. I had a good call with new Prime Minister Vasile Tofan during which we discussed the next steps on Moldova’s EU accession path.”

The Commission’s enlargement department, already stretched thin by progress in several candidate countries, has had to redirect resources toward the most advanced cases.

Read more of Luca Bertuzzi’s analysis.

More from our newsrooms

France co-hosts major space summit with Germany despite US firms’ withdrawals and Merz absence. Astronauts, heads of state and major space‑industry figures gathered in Paris on Wednesday for the international summit, co‑hosted by France and Germany at the Grand Palais. Estelle Nilsson‑Julien reports.

European Parliament to debate Ceuta crisis amid fierce political backlash. The EPP and other right‑wing groups are pushing for a resolution criticising Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and calling for tougher migration policy, while Socialists and Democrats are expected to defend Spain and call for greater European solidarity. Vincenzo provides details.

EU’s plan to gain independence from Russian energy faltering, auditors warn. A damning report from the European Court of Auditors identifies insufficient grid infrastructure and interconnectors across EU countries as major barriers to a fully integrated energy market. Marta Pacheco breaks it down.

We’re also keeping an eye on

• European Commissioner for Trade Maroš Šefčovič meets Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš in Prague.
• European Commissioner for the Economy Valdis Dombrovskis meets Latvia’s Minister of Defence Raivis Melnis in Riga.
• European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Hadja Lahbib meets Romanian President Nicușor Dan in Bucharest.

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